Who We Are
The Social Work Department is made up of a variety of Social Work Professionals and programs dedicated to integrating the social and psychological needs of patients and families with the provision of their health care.
Social Workers aim to address the challenges families face, increase accessibility to health care and other resources, and serve as a bridge between the hospital setting and a patient's family life, home and community.
Social Workers are guided by core professional values promoting self-determination, dignity, respect for the beliefs and practices of different cultures, and advocating for social justice in the form of patient rights and access to resources.
For more information on social services at SJRMC or if you are in need of assistance, call the social services office at 208-799-5330. A social worker will be happy to meet with you. A social worker is available to SJRMC patients between 8 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday and 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday. A patient can also request a referral from their doctor or nurse.
What We Do
Social workers provide focused support to prepare patients and families for successful transitions from one care setting to another.
As members of various multidisciplinary health care teams, Social Workers are trained, licensed professionals who provide a range of psychosocial services to enhance the quality of care for patients and their families, both within the hospital and the community.
By understanding patient and family concerns, social work professionals join with families to develop options and plans that meet their unique needs.
Services We Provide
Services provided depend on the unique needs of each patient or family and may include case management, counseling, and assistance with concerns such as:
- Chronic illness
- Coping with diagnosis, illness or hospitalization
- Impact of illness on family members
- Care-giving concerns
- Grief, loss or end of life issues
- Family issues or conflicts
- Developmental or life changes
- Violence in the home or community
- Behavioral problems
- Trauma
- School or educational concerns
- Financial difficulties
- Housing problems
- Adoption or foster care
- Access to community resources
- Depression, anxiety, psychiatric concerns
- Substance abuse
Emotional Support
The social services department at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) is available to all patients and their families for the purpose of assisting them with problems that often accompany illness. Support is offered to help cope with stress due to illness, disability, and medical emergencies. Stress may be related to the disruption in a daily routine brought on by the illness, the treatment involved, financial, or other concerns.
Social workers provide individual and family counseling for problems related to hospitalization or the disease process, including evaluation and referral to community resources when needed. Group support is also available for cancer or Parkinson’s patients and their families.
Discharge Planning
Social workers provide discharge planning services to prepare patients for discharge from hospital to home, another hospital, or extended care facility. Discharge planning begins early in a patient’s hospital stay and includes evaluating patient needs and problem-solving those needs. Information about resources such as home health, hospice, equipment rental, homemaker services, shelter care and convalescent care is available.
